The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have announced the reinstatement of Jon Gruden into the team’s prestigious Ring of Honor, nearly four years after his removal. Gruden, who led the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl victory in 2003, was initially inducted into the Ring of Honor in 2017. However, his name was removed from Raymond James Stadium in 2021 following controversy surrounding his resignation from the Las Vegas Raiders due to offensive emails he sent while working as an ESPN analyst.
In a statement released Thursday, the Buccaneers expressed that Gruden remains a significant figure in the history of the franchise. The decision to reinstate him was made after careful consideration. “Jon Gruden was initially inducted into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor based on his many accomplishments during his seven seasons as our head coach,” the team said. “Upon further reflection, we have decided to reinstate him.”
Gruden, the franchise’s winningest coach, led the Buccaneers for seven seasons, compiling a 57-55 record, with three playoff appearances. His tenure culminated in the 2002 Super Bowl title, marking a significant milestone for the team. Gruden was traded to the Buccaneers in a blockbuster deal with the Oakland Raiders, bringing his winning experience to Tampa Bay.
The controversy surrounding Gruden began in October 2021 when emails surfaced showing him using racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language. His resignation from the Raiders followed public backlash, including criticism for his derogatory comments about former NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith. The NFL investigation into Gruden’s conduct was part of a broader workplace misconduct review related to the Washington Football Team.
However, after some time apart, the relationship between Gruden and the Buccaneers began to heal. A pivotal moment came during a memorial service for former defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, where messages of forgiveness resonated with team ownership. This led to Gruden reconnecting with the Buccaneers and attending a home game against the San Francisco 49ers in November.
Gruden, in a statement, expressed his gratitude: “Some of my best memories in life were at Raymond James Stadium with the Bucs, and it’s a great feeling and a great honor.”
While Gruden’s lawsuit against the NFL, accusing the league of orchestrating a campaign to destroy his career, is ongoing, the Buccaneers have decided to honor his contributions to the team’s legacy by reinstating him to the Ring of Honor.